Dipanjan Banerjee MD MS

Clinical Associate Professor, Medicine - Cardiovascular Medicine

Bio

Bio

Dipanjan Banerjee, MD, MS is a cardiologist trained in advanced heart failure and cardiac transplantation, with a primary interest in patients with end stage heart failure. In his clinical practice he cares for patients with heart failure, mechanical heart-assist devices, and heart transplantation both in the coronary care unit (CCU) and in the outpatient clinic. He also performs catheterization laboratory procedures and supervises the protocol based ramp echocardiography performed on our patients receiving left ventricular assist devices (LVADs).

His research interests are clinical, given his Masters in Epidemiology, and primarily involve improving outcomes in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), including conducting clinical trials. In particular, he is interested in the hemodynamic evaluation of patients receiving LVADs, and is part of a national multi-center trial investigating the use of protocolized ramp right heart catheterization in these patients. He also researches quality improvement, and has led a program that effected a sustained reduction in 30 day readmission rates after a discharge for heart failure, significantly below national rates.

At Stanford, his leadership roles include serving as the Medical Director of the mechanical circulatory support program (MCS) and as physician lead of the heart failure readmission reduction program. Finally, he is one of the leading educators in not only the Division of Cardiology at Stanford, but also the Department of Medicine.

Clinical Trials

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the HeartMate II
(HM II) Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) support versus OMM in ambulatory NYHA Class
IIIB/IV heart failure patients who are not dependent on intravenous inotropic support and who
meet the FDA approved indications for HM II LVAD destination therapy.

Stanford is currently not accepting patients for this trial.For more information, please contact Dipanjan Banerjee, 650-724-4942.

The main purpose of this study is to compare Echo-guided testing to the Hemodynamic-Echo Ramp
Tests to determine which method of testing provides better information for adjusting pump
speed and medical treatment for Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) patients. Better
adjustments may provide better quality of life, exercise tolerance and reduced unwanted
cardiac events over a 6-month period.

Comparison of Saocubitril/valsartaN Versus Enalapril on Effect on ntpRo-bnp in Patients Stabilized From an Acute Heart Failure Episode.Recruiting

The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of in-hospital initiation of
sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) vs. enalapril on time averaged proportional change in NT-proBNP
in patients who have been stabilized following hospitalization for acute decompensated heart
failure (ADHF) and reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ?
40%).

Abstract

To investigate the impact of timing of same-admission orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation on in-hospital mortality and post-transplant length of stay.Using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 1998 to 2011, we identified patients 18 years of age or older who underwent implantation of a LVAD and for whom the procedure date was available. We calculated in-hospital mortality for those patients who underwent OHT during the same admission as a function of time from LVAD to OHT, adjusting for age, sex, race, household income, and number of comorbid diagnoses. Finally, we analyzed the effect of time to OHT after LVAD implantation on the length of hospital stay post-transplant.Two thousand and two hundred patients underwent implantation of a LVAD in this cohort. One hundred and sixty-four (7.5%) patients also underwent OHT during the same admission, which occurred on average 32 d (IQR 7.75-66 d) after LVAD implantation. Of patients who underwent OHT, patients who underwent transplantation within 7 d of LVAD implantation ("early") experienced increased in-hospital mortality (26.8% vs 12.2%, P = 0.0483) compared to patients who underwent transplant after 8 d ("late"). There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, race, household income, or number of comorbid diagnoses between the early and late groups. Post-transplant length of stay after LVAD implantation was also not significantly different between patients who underwent early vs late OHT.In this cohort of patients who received LVADs, the rate of in-hospital mortality after OHT was lower for patients who underwent late OHT (at least 8 d after LVAD implantation) compared to patients who underwent early OHT. Delayed timing of OHT after LVAD implantation did not correlate with longer hospital stays post-transplant.

Abstract

This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) as destination therapy in ambulatory patients with advanced heart failure.LVADs improve survival and quality of life in inotrope-dependent heart failure, but data are limited as to their value in less severely ill patients.We determined costs of care among Medicare beneficiaries before and after LVAD implantation from 2009 to 2010. We used these costs and efficacy data from published studies in a Markov model to project the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of destination LVAD therapy compared with that of medical management. We discounted costs and benefits at 3% annually and report costs as 2016 U.S. dollars.The mean cost of LVAD implantation was $175,420. The mean cost of readmission was lower before LVAD than after ($12,377 vs. $19,465, respectively; p < 0.001), while monthly outpatient costs were similar ($3,364 vs. $2,974, respectively; p = 0.54). In the lifetime simulation model, LVAD increased quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (4.41 vs. 2.67, respectively), readmissions (13.03 vs. 6.35, respectively), and costs ($726,200 vs. $361,800, respectively) compared with medical management, yielding an ICER of $209,400 per QALY gained and $597,400 per life-year gained. These results were sensitive to LVAD readmission rates and outpatient care costs; the ICER would be $86,900 if these parameters were 50% lower.LVADs in non-inotrope-dependent heart failure patients improved quality of life but substantially increased lifetime costs because of frequent readmissions and costly follow-up care. LVADs may provide good value if outpatient costs and adverse events can be reduced.

Abstract

Mortality from heart failure remains high despite advances in medical therapy over the last three decades. Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) combinations are the latest addition to the heart failure medical armamentarium, which is built on the cornerstone regimen of beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. Recent trial data have shown a significant mortality benefit from ARNIs, which, as of May 2016, have now received a class I recommendation for use in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction from the major American and European cardiology societies.

Abstract

Many clinicians caring for patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD) use ramp right heart catheterization (RHC) studies to optimize pump speed and also to troubleshoot CF-LVAD malfunction. An investigational device, the ReliantHeart Heart Assist 5 (Houston, TX), provides the added benefit of an ultrasonic flow probe on the outflow graft that directly measures flow through the CF-LVAD. We performed a simultaneous ramp RHC and echocardiogram on a patient who received the above CF-LVAD to optimize pump parameters and investigate elevated flow through the CF-LVAD as measured by the flow probe. We found that the patient's hemodynamics were optimized at their baseline pump speed, and that the measured cardiac output via the Fick principle was lower than that measured by the flow probe. Right heart catheterization may be useful to investigate discrepancies between flow measured by a CF-LVAD and a patient's clinical presentation, particularly in investigational devices where little clinical experience exists. More data is needed to elucidate the correlation between the flow measured by an ultrasonic probe and cardiac output as measured by RHC.

Abstract

Continuous flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) patients have a high prevalence of gastrointestinal bleeding from the small bowel. Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is often used for diagnosis in these patients, but efficacy has yet to be determined. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of VCE in the management of CF-LVAD patients with suspected small bowel bleeding by comparing to a non-VCE CF-LVAD control group.We retrospectively reviewed the charts of all patients with CF-LVADs implanted at Stanford Hospital from January 2010 to October 2015. Patients were included in the study if there was a clinical suspicion of small bowel bleeding and either a negative upper endoscopy or colonoscopy.A total of 26 patients met inclusion criteria for a total of 15 encounters where VCE was done, and 25 where VCE was not done. There were no statistical differences when comparing these groups in terms of medical therapy use (thalidomide or octreotide), enteroscopy use (double-balloon or push), intervention on lesions, or any 30-day outcomes. There was no advantage to VCE with regard to the composite endpoint time to re-bleed or death related to re-bleeding (median 114 vs. 161 days, P = 0.15) after removing patients who did not get a VCE due to death or critical illness.We did not find VCE changed management or outcomes in CF-LVAD patients with suspected small bowel bleeding at our institution when compared to a non-VCE control group. Our experience is small and single center, and larger, multi-center studies could further elucidate the utility of VCE in this patient population.

Abstract

Reduction of 30-day all-cause readmissions for heart failure (HF) has become an important quality-of-care metric for health care systems. Many hospitals have implemented quality improvement programs designed to reduce 30-day all-cause readmissions for HF. Electronic medical record (EMR)-based measures have been employed to aid in these efforts, but their use has been largely adjunctive to, rather than integrated with, the overall effort.We hypothesized that a comprehensive EMR-based approach utilizing an HF dashboard in addition to an established HF readmission reduction program would further reduce 30-day all-cause index hospital readmission rates for HF.After establishing a quality improvement program to reduce 30-day HF readmission rates, we instituted EMR-based measures designed to improve cohort identification, intervention tracking, and readmission analysis, the latter 2 supported by an electronic HF dashboard. Our primary outcome measure was the 30-day index hospital readmission rate for HF, with secondary measures including the accuracy of identification of patients with HF and the percentage of patients receiving interventions designed to reduce all-cause readmissions for HF.The HF dashboard facilitated improved penetration of our interventions and reduced readmission rates by allowing the clinical team to easily identify cohorts with high readmission rates and/or low intervention rates. We significantly reduced 30-day index hospital all-cause HF readmission rates from 18.2% at baseline to 14% after implementation of our quality improvement program (P?=?.045). Implementation of our EMR-based approach further significantly reduced 30-day index hospital readmission rates for HF to 10.1% (P for trend?=?.0001). Daily time to screen patients decreased from 1 hour to 15?minutes, accuracy of cohort identification improved from 83% to 94.6% (P?=?.0001), and the percentage of patients receiving our interventions, such as patient education, also improved significantly from 22% to 100% over time (P?.0001).In an institution with a quality improvement program already in place to reduce 30-day readmission rates for HF, an EMR-based approach further significantly reduced 30-day index hospital readmission rates.

Abstract

Despite increasing use of left ventricular devices for the surgical treatment of heart failure, there is limited experience with implantation of devices in the setting of challenging left apical anatomy. We report the case of a 68-year-old man with a chronic post-infarction calcified apical pseudoaneurysm, who underwent pseudoaneurysmectomy, ventricular myoplasty, and left ventricular assist device implantation. A review of the literature and operative strategies are presented.

Abstract

Early identification of inpatients with heart failure (HF) may help to reduce readmissions. We found that many patients identified by our coding team as having a primary diagnosis of HF were not identified by our clinical team. We hypothesized that an electronic medical record (EMR)-based report would improve identification of hospitalized patients eventually diagnosed with HF.We constructed an automated EMR-based tool to allow our team to identify patients with HF more quickly and accurately. We selected criteria that could potentially identify the cohort as patients with an exacerbation of HF. We performed monthly reconciliations, comparing the list of patients identified by our coding team as having a primary diagnosis of HF versus the patients identified by our team as having HF. We reduced a baseline 17% discrepancy of patients coded as HF but not identified by our team to 9.5% in the year after implementation of our screening tool (P?=?.006), and to 5.4% in the next year (P?=?.03); 56% of patients that were identified as having HF by our CNS team were coded as having HF, versus 49% in the 2 years after implementation (P?=?.15). Thirty-day readmission rates to our hospital decreased from 16% to 11% (P?=?.029).An EMR-based approach significantly improved identification of patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of HF. Future investigations should determine whether early identification of inpatients with HF can independently lower readmissions, and whether this strategy can successfully identify outpatients with HF.

Abstract

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. The pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is a novel hemodynamic index that predicts RVF in the setting of myocardial infarction, although it has not been shown to predict RVF after LVAD implantation.We performed a retrospective, single-center analysis to examine the utility of the PAPi in predicting RVF and RV assist device (RVAD) implantation in 85 continuous-flow LVAD recipients. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis incorporating previously identified predictors of RVF after LVAD placement, including clinical and echocardiographic variables, to determine the independent effect of PAPi in predicting RVF or RVAD after LVAD placement.In this cohort, the mean PAPi was 3.4 with a standard deviation of 2.9. RVF occurred in 33% of patients, and 11% required a RVAD. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for age, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support profile, revealed that higher PAPi was independently associated with a reduced risk of RVAD placement (odds ratio [OR], 0.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.89). This relationship did not change significantly when echocardiographic measures were added to the analysis. Stratifying the analysis by the presence of inotropes during catheterization revealed that PAPi was more predictive of RVAD requirement when measured on inotropes (OR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.02-0.97) than without (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.01-1.94). Furthermore, time from catheterization to LVAD did not significantly affect the predictive value of the PAPi (maximum time, 6 months). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that optimal sensitivity and specificity were achieved using a PAPi threshold of 2.0.In LVAD recipients, the PAPi is an independent predictor of RVF and the need for RVAD support after LVAD implantation. This index appears more predictive in patients receiving inotropes and was not affected by time from catheterization to LVAD in our cohort.

The Presence of Air Bubbles in the Aorta of a Patient with a HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Novel Sign of Outflow Graft Obstruction.ASAIO journal Davis, M. K., Ha, R., Banerjee, D.2014; 60 (5): 600-602

Abstract

Microbubbles formed by cavitation have been frequently reported in patients with mechanical heart valves (MHVs), but have not previously been described in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Obstruction of the LVAD circuit by thrombus, outflow graft kinking, or cannula malposition may cause high pressure gradients and turbulent flow, often resulting in hemolysis. Here, we describe for the first time the presence of microbubbles in the ascending aorta of a patient with severe LVAD-associated hemolysis. We propose that these bubbles were formed by cavitation in the presence of a high pressure gradient due to LVAD outflow graft obstruction, and suggest that this may be a novel imaging sign of LVAD obstruction in patients with continuous-flow LVADs.

Abstract

The risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (GIB) and thromboembolic events may increase with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs). We aimed to characterize GIB and thromboembolic events that occurred in patients with CF-LVADs and compare them with patients receiving anticoagulation therapy.We performed a retrospective analysis of 159 patients who underwent CF-LVAD placement at 2 large academic medical centers (mean age, 55 ± 13 y). We identified and characterized episodes of GIB and thromboembolic events through chart review; data were collected from a time period of 292 ± 281 days. We compared the rates of GIB and thromboembolic events between patients who underwent CF-LVAD placement and a control group of 159 patients (mean age, 64 ± 15 y) who received a cardiac valve replacement and were discharged with anticoagulation therapy.Bleeding events occurred in 29 patients on CF-LVAD support (18%; 45 events total). Sixteen rebleeding events were identified among 10 patients (range, 1-3 rebleeding episodes/patient). There were 34 thrombotic events among 27 patients (17%). The most common source of bleeding was GI angiodysplastic lesions (n = 20; 44%). GIB and thromboembolic events were more common in patients on CF-LVAD support than controls; these included initial GIB (18% vs 4%, P

Abstract

We describe a case of catheter-based embolization and deactivation of a left ventricular assist device using an Amplatzer plug for a patient demonstrating myocardial recovery after diagnosis of nonischemic cardiomyopathy. This procedure can provide a minimally invasive, low morbidity solution for patients wishing to be separated from left ventricular assist device support who want to avoid invasive surgery for device removal.

Abstract

Patients with heart failure (HF) have higher fasting insulin levels and a higher prevalence of insulin resistance as compared with matched controls. Insulin resistance leads to structural abnormalities in the heart, such as increased left atrial size, left ventricular mass, and alterations in transmitral velocity that can precede the diagnosis of HF. It is not known whether insulin resistance precedes the development of HF or whether the relationship between insulin resistance and HF is present among adults with HF caused by nonischemic heart disease.We examined 4425 participants (60% women) from the Cardiovascular Health Study after excluding those with HF, myocardial infarction, or treated diabetes mellitus at baseline. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the relative risk of incident HF associated with fasting insulin measured at study entry. There were 1216 cases of incident HF (1103 without antecedent myocardial infarction) during a median follow-up of 12 years (maximum, 19 years). Fasting insulin levels were positively associated with the risk of incident HF (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.15, per SD change) when adjusted for age, sex, race, field center, physical activity, smoking, alcohol intake, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and waist circumference. The association between fasting insulin levels and incident HF was similar for HF without antecedent myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.15). Measures of left atrial size, left ventricular mass, and peak A velocity at baseline were associated both with fasting insulin levels and with HF; however, additional statistical adjustment for these parameters did not completely attenuate the insulin-HF estimate (hazard ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.14 per 1-SD increase in fasting insulin).Fasting insulin was positively associated with adverse echocardiographic features and risk of subsequent HF in Cardiovascular Health Study participants, including those without an antecedent myocardial infarction.URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00005133.

Abstract

We report on the preliminary deployment of a bathroom scale-based ballistocardiogram (BCG) system for the in-hospital monitoring of patients with heart failure. These early trials provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for such monitoring. In particular, the need for robust algorithms and adapted BCG metric is suggested. The system was designed to be robust and user-friendly, with dual ballistocardiogram (BCG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) capabilities. The BCG was measured from a modified bathroom scale, while the ECG (used as timing reference) was measured using dry handlebar electrodes. The signal conditioning and digitization circuits were USB-powered, and data acquisition performed using a netbook. Four patients with a NYHA class III at admission were measured daily for the duration of their treatment at Stanford hospital. A measure of BCG quality, in essence a quantitative implementation of the BCG classes originally defined in the 1950s, is proposed as a practical parameter.

Abstract

Hypertension is highly prevalent and contributes to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Appropriate identification of hypertension is fundamental for its management. The rates of appropriate hypertension diagnosis in outpatient settings using an electronic health record (EHR) have not been well studied. We sought to identify prevalent and incident hypertension cases in a large outpatient healthcare system, examine the diagnosis rates of prevalent and incident hypertension, and identify clinical and demographic factors associated with appropriate hypertension diagnosis.We analyzed a 3-year, cross-sectional sample of 251,590 patients aged ?18 years using patient EHRs. Underlying hypertension was defined as two or more abnormal blood pressure (ABP) readings ?140/90 mm Hg and/or pharmaceutical treatment. Appropriate hypertension diagnosis was defined by the reporting of ICD-9 codes (401.0-401.9). Factors associated with hypertension diagnosis were assessed through multivariate analyses of patient clinical and demographic characteristics.The prevalence of hypertension was 28.7%, and the diagnosis rate was 62.9%. The incidence of hypertension was 13.3%, with a diagnosis rate of 19.9%. Predictors of diagnosis for prevalent hypertension included older age, Asian, African American, higher body mass index (BMI), and increased number of ABP readings. Predictors for incident hypertension diagnosis were similar. In patients with two or more ABP readings, hypertension diagnosis was associated with significantly higher medication treatment rates (92.6% vs. 15.8%, P < 0.0001).Outpatient EHR diagnosis rates are suboptimal, yet EHR diagnosis of hypertension is strongly associated with treatment. Targeted efforts to improve diagnosis should be a priority.

Abstract

Background. Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). There are known racial/ethnic differences in Lp(a) levels, and the association of Lp(a) with CVD outcomes has not been examined in Asian Americans in the USA. Objective. We hypothesized that Lp(a) levels would differ in Asian Indians and Chinese Americans when compared to NHW and that the relationship between Lp(a) and CVD outcomes would be different in these Asian racial/ethnic subgroups when compared to NHW. Methods. We studied the outpatient electronic health records of 2022 NHW, 295 Asian Indians, and 151 Chinese adults age ?18?y in Northern California in whom Lp(a) levels were assessed during routine clinical care from 2001 to 2008, excluding those who had received prescriptions for niacin (14.6%). Nonparametric methods were used to compare median Lp(a) levels. Significance was assessed at the P < .0001 level to account for multiple comparisons. CVD outcomes were defined as ischemic heart disease (IHD) (265 events), stroke (122), or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) (87). We used logistic regression to determine the relationship between Lp(a) and CVD outcomes. Results. Both Asian Indians (36?nmol/L) and NHW (29?nmol/L) had higher median Lp(a) levels than Chinese (22?nmol/L, P ? .0001 and P = .0032). When stratified by sex, the differences in median Lp(a) between these groups persisted in the 1761 men (AI v CH: P = .001, NHW v CH: P = .0018) but were not statistically significant in the 1130 women (AI v CH: P = .0402, NHW v CH: P = .0761). Asian Indians (OR = 2.0) and Chinese (OR = 4.8) exhibited a trend towards greater risk of IHD with high Lp(a) levels than NHW (OR = 1.4), but no relationship was statistically significant. Conclusion. Asian Indian and NHW men have higher Lp(a) values than Chinese men, with a trend toward, similar associations in women. High Lp(a) may be more strongly associated with IHD in Asian Indians and Chinese, although we did not have a sufficient number of outcomes to confirm this. Further studies should strive to elucidate the relationship between Lp(a) levels, CVD, and race/ethnicity among Asian subgroups in the USA.

Abstract

There now is strong evidence to recognize the pivotal role of the right ventricle (RV) in heart disease and to establish it as a unique and separate entity than the left ventricle (LV). Here, we summarize the differences between the two ventricles, the diagnosis of RV failure, and the management of acute and chronic RV failure. We review the indices derived by echocardiography used to measure RV function, and novel biomarkers that may play a role diagnosing and prognosticating in RV-specific disease. There are new novel therapies that specifically target the RV in disease. For example, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors improve contractility of the hypertrophied RV while sparing the normal LV in pulmonary arterial hypertension. The metabolism of the hypertrophied RV is another area for therapeutic exploitation by metabolic modulation. We also suggest future potential molecular targets that may be unique to the RV because they are upregulated in RV hypertrophy greater than in LV hypertrophy.

Abstract

High rates of insulin resistance (IR), which contribute to a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD), have been noted in Asian Indians. Rapid, effective measures of IR could identify individuals at risk for CVD in this population. A [(13)C]glucose breath test has been shown to correlate significantly with invasive measures of IR in a Caucasian cohort. We hypothesized that the breath test would correlate significantly with surrogate measures of IR in Asian Indians.A total of 49 urban and 49 rural Asian Indian subjects underwent the (13)C breath test and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance testing. Correlations were performed between the breath test results and surrogate measures of IR including the homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA). These two indices were also correlated with body mass index (BMI).In the overall cohort, the breath test correlated significantly with HOMA (r = -0.40; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (WC) (r = -0.70; P < 0.0001), and BMI (r = -0.59; P < 0.0001). The breath test correlated significantly with BMI in the urban and rural cohorts (r = -0.65; P < 0.0001 and r = -0.36; P = 0.01) and with HOMA (r = -0.55; P = 0.0001) in the urban cohort. There was no significant correlation between the breath test and HOMA (r = -0.07; P = 0.61) in the rural cohort. When corrected for WC and BMI, the correlation between the breath test and HOMA in the urban cohort was no longer significant (r = -0.08; P = 0.57).The (13)C breath test correlated significantly with HOMA values in urban but not in more insulin-sensitive rural subjects and yielded no incremental information over BMI. Further refinement of the [(13)C]glucose breath test is necessary prior to its use as a screening test for IR in Asian Indians.

Abstract

Bias and confounding are types of error that may be encountered in the collection, analysis, or interpretation of research data. Bias and confounding may result in erroneous research conclusions with adverse consequences for patients and health care providers. In this article, we provide clinician-friendly descriptions and examples of bias (including surveillance, information, selection, lead, length, and publication) and confounding. The purpose of the article is to help clinicians to recognize two important sources of error in research and in turn to help clinicians to assess the validity and generalizability of a research report.

Does using ethnic specific criteria improve the usefulness of the term metabolic syndrome? controversies and suggestionsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBESITYBanerjee, D., Misra, A.2007; 31 (9): 1340-1349

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important tool that identifies populations at increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes, targeting them for preventive measures. The criteria for the identification of the MetS were initially constructed from data in Caucasian populations. Recent research suggests that the current criteria for the MetS may not accurately characterize disease risk in non-Caucasian populations, either over or underestimating the risk in certain ethnic groups. Altering the criteria for each population by making ethnic-specific cutoffs as has been done with waist circumference will help in more accurate characterization. Using different combinations of the MetS criteria for different ethnic groups based CVD risk and factor analysis needs consideration. With better characterizations of patient populations, the ultimate goal would be to make MetS more accurate for predicting CVD risk while retaining the ease of screening afforded by the MetS. The proposed alterations of definition and criteria of the MetS would ensure its continued viability and sustainability.

Abstract

The metabolic syndrome is a crucial factor in causation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary heart disease (CHD) in South Asians. Approximately 20-25 per cent of urban South Asians have evidence of the metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, insulin resistance was reported to be present in nearly 30 per cent of children and adolescents in India, more so in girls. At the same time many young individuals have clustering of other risk factors/conditions related to insulin resistance (e.g., non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, etc.). Rapid nutritional and lifestyle transition in urbanized areas in various countries in South Asia are prime reasons for increasing prevalence of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. It is particularly important to effectively implement and strengthen population-based primary prevention strategies for the prevention of 'epidemic' of obesity and the metabolic syndrome. The lifestyle factor modification to prevent the metabolic syndrome and T2DM in South Asians should start in early childhood. Finally, there is an urgent need to conduct research studies regarding the correct definitions of the metabolic syndrome and genetic and perinatal factors related to insulin resistance in South Asians.

Abstract

A well-executed occupational pulmonary history should be part of the evaluation of workers presenting with respiratory illnesses or symptoms. In this article, we review the scope of occupational lung disease and detail the essential elements of the occupational pulmonary history.